Where Will This Path Leads Me?

I've had just enough time...   to take the path that is offered.

I let the path leads me wherever it leads me but
I do not forget to smell the flowers along the way

It is interesting where paths will lead you if you let them lead the way. That is why when I find myself in a strange city, I like to wander off on my own. Aimlessly. And let the path leads me wherever it may lead. I have always made interesting discoveries this way. Without fail. In every city I have been to.

I just started a new blog and it already is leading me to interesting places. I wrote about the books I read and the books I intend to read. That led me to a mail exchange I had with Liza Dalby, the author of Geisha and The Tale of Murasaki a long time ago about my graveyard of books - http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/my-graveyard-of-books/. A comment by a reader led me to reflect on my first meeting with a geisha - "When I was a young man of 21, ages ago. I found myself one night in Tokyo along with a colleague and my ex-boss; each with a geisha accompanying us. We were hosted by maybe 6 or 7 Japanese gentlemen from a large organization toasting us with a mixture of Suntory beer, Black Label whiskey and warm sake..." You can read it here - http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-geisha-who-showed-me-her-empty-cup/

Sometimes it leads me to strange places
But it never fails to lead me to interesting places

I will continue to wander off the main track and let Life surprises me. It is one of my greatest pleasure to find Life's hidden treasures.

The World Is Moving Too Fast For The Slow Loris

I've had just enough time...   to feel sad for the slow loris

The slow loris kiss his owner 

In the Pahang jungle, I saw this man with the slow loris. It was obvious that he has bonded with the animal and they treated each other affectionately. But the slow loris is an endangered species. The cute, adorable and gentle loris with its large eyes is popular as a pet but wild life trade has decimated their population endangering them. Loris also do not breed well in captivity and they have one of the slowest birth rate for a mammal. Before they are sold as a pet, their teeth are ripped off with a plier as they have a toxic bite. Many do not survive this treatment. When Rihana took a selfie with a slow loris in Thailand, two men were arrested.

But it does not belong to the world of man

I asked the man about keeping an endangered animal as a pet. He told me that his loris dropped off from the tree when it was still a baby. It would have died if he have left it where he found it. He could not return it to its parents for they would reject it once it is tainted with the human smell. So he had no choice but to rear it himself. I have no reason to doubt him. I have no reason to believe him.

If it is true he save it, did he do the right thing to keep it? (he does love it, I'm sure)

See this disturbing video -

Al Fresco Dining the Hawkers Style.

I've had just enough time...  to have my favourite noodles the Al fresco style

Al fresco dining the Malaysian style

In the early evening, in a parking lot on a corner by the side of a busy street of Kuala Lumpur, hawkers were busy setting up food stalls for the night business. Carts and chairs were arranged on every available places trapping cars left behind by drivers that were not aware of or were slow to remove them. Tables and stools were arranged in the center framed by hawkers stalls selling all kinds of mainly noodles dishes in various styles of preparations, “dried” style with black sauce, different “soup” styles – beef, beef tendon, chicken, chicken spare parts, pork, pork spare parts with light soup, curry or a whole varieties of different stocks and flavors. They may be a rice stall such as chicken or duck rice, or a “roti chanai” (Indian flat bread) stall among them as well as various other types of food and desserts. It will not be surprising to find a stall selling a local fried burger or Western food such as Maryland chicken and chips. It was a food heaven.

This is a typical food stalls congregation in any city or towns in Malaysia and they are always crowded and a fun place to be. The scene we are seeing is in the early evening when the stalls is just being set up but already a few early birds are already tucking in. Another hour, and you will find patrons waiting for a seat to be available. No one managed the place but it seemed to be very well organized with each stall contributing towards maintenance of the area for the benefits of all concerned. The prices are very economical and is a fraction of that available in restaurants. The food are generally also quite hygienically prepared and is safe for consumption. This is the favorite form of food consumption for busy Malaysian who are not cooking at home.

The Melon I Found In The Borneo Highlands

I've had just enough time...   to find the melon in the highlands

A beautiful melon with intricate patterns I found in the Borneo Highlands Resort in Kuching

The melon I found on Borneo Highlands

I know not its name and

There is no one to enlighten

But it is all the same

One need not know to appreciate

One only need know to appreciate

Don't Be Caught Off-guard By The Irish Rooster!

I've had just enough time to...  be caught off-guard by the Irish Rooster

Is that an Irish Rooster in Shanghai?

Irish Music - The Rooster Lyrics

We had some chickens no eggs would they lay

We had some chickens no eggs would they lay

The wife said honey we're loosing money

Because those chickens no eggs would they lay

Then came a rooster into our yard

And he caught them chickens right off their guard

They're laying eggs now like they never used to

Since that rooster came into our yard

In A Mosque in Beirut

I've had just enough time...   to speak about God

In a mosque in Beirut, a father speaks softly to his child...

In a mosque in Beirut

I saw a father softly 
Speaking to his child

Sitting in the shadows as

Lights streamed through

The windows, I believe

As he believes, there is God

And in churches and temples

Everywhere, a man speaks

Softly to his child about

The God he knows

The Old Man Looking for His Center

I've had just enough time...   to look for my center

I saw the old man walking unsteadily on edges...

The old man

Walked on edges

Struggling to maintain

A balance, not

Too much right or

Too much left

Might fall off

Into the abyss

He is trying to find his center.

I asked “Why?”

Almost causing his fall

He brushed me off

Walking unsteadily forth

Then stunned me

Left me pondering

What his voice carried

With his departure

“How can I find my center,

Walking on level ground?”

_______

What's Your Center?

The Caterpillar or the Leaves

I've had just enough time...   to harvest a butterfly

The caterpillar hiding under a branch...

Two pots of ailing

Flowering plants

Nursed back to health.

New leaves from

Barren branches

Pleased me.

Shocked me

To see leaves of

One stripped bare.

The next day, the

Rest disappeared.

The culprit was found

Fat under a branch

Shyly hiding from

The sun, leaving me

To decide the fate of

The caterpillar

Or the leaves

My prosperity flowers whose leaves were devoured.
Can you see where the caterpillar is hiding?

I wanted the flowers

Of the plants nursed

To health, but strange

Are the fruits of the

Tree one sowed

I harvest a butterfly

Instead.

What would you choose?
The leaves or the caterpillar or...

Thoughts on The Act of Giving.

I've had just enough time...   to give and to receive...

A tribute to all who gives...

The last two years were the toughest in my working life. It was a mixture of extremes, some of my greatest achievements and fulfillment mixed in with some of the unhappiest moments and heart-breaking failures. There were several junctures during this period of living dangerously when I was more than ready to throw in the towel, to call it quits and walk into the sunset. But somehow I persevere. I made it through to this point, another crossroads in my life. I made it because of friends who believe in me, who stood by me and who needed me to carry on. But I also made it because the act of giving gives me enough strength to withstand the hurts.

To all who empathizes...

I was given the task of setting up a new business/company and to transform another, one in which I had been working for a very long time. In just a year, the new company radically changes the very industry in which it was in and its innovative product became a household name. And it is on its way to be a successful company with modern management and a compassionate attitude towards its workers. 

To all who cares...

But transforming the old company proves to be akin to moving an elephant that does not want to be moved. I pushed and pushed and hurt my back. And to add insult to injury, the village condemned me for disrupting the nature of things. I was the madman for trying to move an elephant. And I underestimated the vindictiveness of dead woods. Their poisons infected all who came near them and in the jungle where they inhabit, they protect themselves with vapors that blinded man of their own follies. Only little Napoleans staking out their little turfs thrived in the swamp of decays. Even with the support of people who believe in me, it was a lonely bruising fight and I came to question what I was fighting for. I have many good reasons to leave and only a few to stay. One of which being a leader of a tribe, I’m duty bound to improve their lots for them but even this has a limit which in honesty I feel I’ve more than fulfilled.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention
- Oscar Wilde

It was during this period that I made a pledge. If I can last two years, I will put aside a part of my salary enough to donate a kidney machine for the hospital of my charitable organization of choice. Sometimes, when the going got really tough and I was left with little to hang on; the thought that I was not only fighting for myself or even my friends but also for others who needed help was the little extra that helped me got through another day. Another bitter contention. Another injustice. Another insult. The two years had passed. The kidney machine I donated is now in operation in a hospital.

No one has ever becomes poor by giving
- Anne Frank

 Recently, a friend in need wrote me a quote from Oscar Wilde “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention”. I thought about that and felt guilty how often my grand intentions did not translate into acts of kindness. I resolve to intend less and try to do more. I’m not a well-to-do man. Far from it. But I’ve enough for my need. And I feel it one really wants to give, then one should give until it hurts. I would like to be one of those really generous soul, one of those that feels only joy when they give. I am not nor pretends to be. When I give, a lot; it also hurts. In the sense that the sum I gave away I could have used it to change a new computer, down payment for a new set of wheels, go on that faraway vacation I’ve always wanted. You get my drift. I can only afford my charity by denying myself some 'wants'. I am not a saintly giver. I gave in spite of sacrifices. But I don’t give for recognition. That kidney machine is donated anonymously. And Thou San is not my real name. This blog is used for both reflection and a record of my journey through Life. 

It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving
- Mother Teresa

I am a selfish giver though. In the sense, I know the act of giving has its rewards. I am not religious and don’t look for my rewards in the next life. I select my charitable organization carefully, for what they do rather than their belief. Thus, of the two main charities I contributed to; one is a Christian and the other a Buddhist. I believe when you work to helping others, you empower yourself. It makes you feel good. It gives you strength. It gives meanings to your struggle and existence. That was how it gave me the reason to continue the struggle when I could no longer find enough reasons to struggle for myself these last two years. That should be reward enough.

The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayers
- Mahatma Gandhi

Now, a new year has come round the corner. It is another beginning. I look at the long road ahead and can already feel the fatigue of the journey. I am not a pessimist. If anything, it is the opposite of that. I’m more of a realist with too much hope to be considered one and too little to be considered an optimist. I know it is a long tough road and I need all the help I can get. So I make another pledge. If I cannot make it another two years than half of something is still better than none. 

So may the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you
- Charles Dickens

I will leave it with this wish from Charles Dickens to all my readers –

“So may the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you!” 

What I Stole On Christmas

I've had just enough time to...   steal from others :)

It was this Laos monkey that taught me how to steal...

A close friend gave me a couple of books for Christmas, one of which teaches me how to steal. I was flattered that she considered me an artist (the good thing about friends is that they exaggerate) but obviously she also thinks I should go and steal some more or she won’t be giving one with the title “Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon. So on a quiet Christmas, I finished the book in a few hours (it was an easy read) and steal as many ideas from it as I could. I find I do not have to steal everything as I had the same conclusion as the author in a number of instances. As he encourages me to steal, I am sure he won’t mind me sharing some of my theft with you so that you can steal from him too.

When caught, it said Picasso said it is alright to steal...

The work starts with a quote from Picasso “Art is theft”. That coming from such an accomplished artist, we cannot help but take note. This is followed by one of my favorite poet, T.S.Eliot “Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different. The good poet welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique, utterly different from which it was torn.” These two quotes about sum up what the book is all about and I like it for that happens to be how I felt too.

The Wood Monkey said the real culprit is Austin Kleon...

“Nothing is original” the book declared for “all creative work builds on what came before”. It quoted the French writer Andre Gide, “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” Put the two together and originality is just a different way of saying the same thing that had been said before. All knowledge is based on past knowledge. I like to say something in a similar vein to my mentees “For each of you, there is a teacher who has a way uniquely suited to you. Either you suit yourself to the teacher or you find the teacher suited to you, if I am not him.” I smile recalling all the silly things I said.

I liked the quote by German write Goethe too “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love”. I like to tell my friends that if we were to walk through an interesting flea market, each of us will immediately focus on different objects and that will reveal a lot about us. I must thank the author for assuaging one of my guilt when he boldly states that “Nothing is more important than an unread library”. So, there is at least one guy out there who do not think my collection of hundreds of unread books is a waste. Thank you.

The Laos Monkey said that is how Kings get to sit on the throne...

Chapter  2 tells you –“Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started”. And if it is necessary to – “Fake it till you make it”. I like to use as an example of a Jackie Chan interview when I emphasized this point. He told how in the days of his early success, he hated the obligatory visits to the orphanage and children hospital which his agent thought is necessary for his image. He did not feel the love he was faking. Then, something strange happened. Gradually along the way, the act became real and he began to feel true compassion. So he too advocate fake it till you make it, even for charity.

Well, if you think I’m going to retell the whole book; sorry. You will have to read it for yourself. But I will leave you with one more secret. Secret #6 that resonates with me – “Do good work and share it with people”. Don’t expect any return. Just do it for love. And love will find you. Oomph! 

The Teddy Bear says if you want to steal, steal like an artist...

Christmas Comes Early to Parma.

I've had just enough time to...   wink at the cherub

The Sleepy Cherub that spoke to me without opening its eyes...

Wandering through the narrow streets of Parma, we came across a brightly lighted window that drew us light moths to a flame. Peering in, we were greeted with the sparkling decorations of Christmas which brought us cheers. There is something magical about Christmas. Something that lightens our spirits and drives away our woes, at least until the resolutions of the New Year when reality once again intrudes. That autumn night, Christmas came to us early in Parma.

The delightful interior of the decoration shop.

It was the sleepy cherub that spoke to me. I pointed it out to my friend who took a shot and posted on her Facebook. Her friend thousands of miles away fall in love with it and wanted it as a Christmas present. So we went back to the shop the next day. The wonder of modern technology. But personally, I think it was the cherub’s design to draw us back to the shop. I am not complaining or I can’t be sharing this story and these pictures of the interior of the shop with you. Now, do you still not believe in the magic of Christmas?

The Happy Son & Father-In-Law - what a cheerful couple :)

So we found our way back to the shop the next night. With the intention to buy something, I could bring myself to ask the shopkeeper if it is okay for me to take a few shots. I can understand “yes” in Italian especially if spoken with a smile. But first we bought the cherub so it can fly all the way to the Philippines to spread cheers in a foreign land. I asked the shopkeeper if the older gentleman working alongside him is his father. He said “father-in-law”. Ah, that is an important word to know. I thought that was so nice, he and his father-in-law working together so warmly together like father and son. I told them so. I pointed to the two of them and gave them the thumb up. It looked like  with just a couple of days in Italy, I’m already learning how to use my hands like a true bred Italian. We bought a few other souvenirs among which is a cute metal bird attached to a long spring that can spring up and down to give it as a Christmas present to my new friend whose birthday I just discovered was on Christmas eve. Wish that I could remember the Italian word for it which started with a “po…….” that the father-in-law kept trying to teach me, unsuccessfully. 

Another view of the delightful shop.

As we left the shop with our presents, we were imbued with a warm glow. We must have caught some of the spirits of Christmas that will nourish us through the approaching cold winter. To All my Readers & Friends, I wish you all and your family –

“Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!”

"Merry Christmas!"

Italian Carol - Christmas - Natale - Tu Scendi Dalle

A Curio Shop Where We Are The Curiosity

I've had just enough time to...   wander through all kinds of everything

Old books in an used suitcase left by the side of a street in Parma, Italy

On the same night that we met the fruit seller, we wandered into a curio shop. It was used books in an old suitcase placed on the walkway by the side of the street that stopped us in our tracks. Books that I have a weakness for like chocolate to some, sinfully delicious. Curiosity dragged us into the shop and into a world of wondrous things. Impractical, kitschy stuff mingled with surprising finds and genuine articles that may be Art to some and “what in heaven’s name is that?” to others.

The shop that sells "all kinds of everything"

I always love being in a shop of “all kinds of everything”. The mind wandered through a dozen cultures, hundreds of possibilities and impossibilities. It amuses and stimulates the imagination. Creative thoughts burst forth skipping from items to items never giving one chance to settle down before one’s attention is grasped and pulled away to yet another item of curiosity. A curio shop is fairy land and we are the child in a toy shop. The mad house is a testament of man’s creativity and insanity. 

Arts from many cultures of many lands and books of more...

There are two kinds of people running curio shops and if you do not come across the mercenary types, you are in luck. These other folks are like the items they sell - odd, impractical, amusing, interesting, warm with an earthly glow and what do you know? The Italian saint of Everything smiled on us. The old man with distinctive features and a pitchy voice manning the shop spoke to us – in Italian of course. And we did not understand, of course. We tried English, that didn’t work. He called for backups. His assistants, or friends or family appeared from the woodworks. They tried French, no good. German, sounded strange. We tried Mandarin, drew recognition but no comprehension. Filipino, that stumped them. Portugese, eh-ah. Spanish, ah a few words both sides knew, but too few. In desperation, Bahasa, Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese and we drew to an agreed conclusion. We didn’t know what the hell the other party were talking about. 

The owner among his treasures, he deals in dreams...

When words failed, smiles and laughter paved the way. We joked, laughed, more at ourselves than at the situation. In the shop of curios, we are the curiosity. We did not buy anything. But on the way out, the lady companion of the kindly old shopkeeper gave me a postcard of the shop as a memento. It was a good one. 

A precious gift of memory which is treasured...

The Curio Shop - The Interludes

Laughing dolls and painted soldiers

Standing in a row

Marching bands and ballerinas

Dancing on their toes

Carousels and photographs

Of memories that I know

You’ll find them all inside

Come see the curios

Come see the toys for sale,

There are so many things –

Oh, won’t you come inside?

What is Banana in Italian?

I've had just enought time to...   say "banana" in Italian.

Warm Italian on a cold autumn evening

It was 7.00 pm in Parma and we were cold and hungry. The last few days we had been having dinner at 6.00 pm in Denmark which was kind of early but in Italy, the restaurant only opens at 8.00 pm which was kind of late for us. While waiting for the recommended restaurant to open, we hanged around and ended in front of a small fruit stall. The owner came out and engaged us in a conversation where neither party understood a single word the other was saying.

It was kind of fun though. He pressed his thumbs against the first finger and thrust it in a forward  motion saying something we could not make head or tail of. This was repeated several times and we made our guesses about the significance of this gesture but not convinced we understood him. That was until he made the ringing sound before we realized he was kindly suggesting that we rang the doorbell of the restaurant which is just down the road. We laughed and told him we had done that but was not sure he understood us. Everyone was smiling and the autumn wind did not feel as cold.

With time to kill, we looked at his products and our puzzled look must have given away the fact we did not know what that ugly looking fruit with wrinkled skin was. He said something in Italian but that of course did not strike a bell. He then gently pushed against the skin revealing a deep wet purple meat beneath. Beetroot I guessed. I think. That opened the floodgate. We then pointed out the fruits and vegetables and he said it out lout in Italian. And we offered the English name. Who needs words for communication?

What is this fruit/vegetable/root? Anyone knows?

There was no way we could remember all those Italian words. So we decided to remember at least one word, an easy one. We looked at the fruits and pointed at a bunch of banana –

“How do you say that in Italian?”

He looked at us with a bemused look and say “Ba-na-nuh!”

And we all burst out laughing simultaneously. Okay, we will never forget that! We left happily for the restaurant waving goodbye to our new found friend. We will probably never meet again but every time I see banana, I will remember that happy Italian face saying “Ba-na-nuh!”.

Moment.

I've had just enough time to...   ponder about a moment.

The moment I viewed the painting "Moment"

I stood before the large painting titled “Moment” in the empty dining hall of this unique company I visited trying to take it all in and feel what a moment meant. There was not enough time. Ironic, isn’t it? Not enough time to feel what a moment is like or what the artist was trying to convey. When a few years ago, I was given the opportunity to start and manage a company, all I had was a vague idea to mold it into “a successful and compassionate company”. In the short span of time, we would be considered “successful” by most standards and now I found a company by which I can model true success after. One that strikes a good balance between profitability and workers’ welfare. That by the way is also true compassion. There is much to learn and execute, but I’m running out of moments…

The last leaf on the tree - a moment in time

If you have just a moment

To preserve your world

Before it disappears forever.

Like the last quivering leaf

In the depth of autumn

Just before its fall to Earth.

What will you capture?

Your first tentative kiss

The walk down the aisle

Praying by your father’s death bed

Safety in your mother’s embrace

The day your child was born

The pressure of his little finger

A Lifetime in a Moment - What is Yours?

The glorious birth of a bright new day

The awesome silence of a starry night

The golden goal or the perfect save!

The view from the top of the mountain

The cool caress of Spring breeze

A slow departing Summer sun…

Each of us will preserve

A special moment

Of beauty, joy or love

But whether it is beauty or joy,

It is still love…